Updates: All is Well and Back to Normal

Just a quick post to update those folks who aren't standing next to Maylia and the kids.
Of course, Michelle is back home in NH and everyone's bags were recovered at the airport (both Tuesday).

Yesterday (Wednesday) evening, I went out for a couple drinks with our downstairs neighbors to talk about some building topics.
First, a quick explanation about how buildings are maintained here. It's sort of like condominiums back home. All of us flat owners contribute monthly payments to a bank account, which then funds renovations or repairs to the "common areas," e.g. roof, stairs, hall lights. Whenever there's a "big decision" (a.k.a. spending money), the tenants must first agree (by majority, not unanimously, thankfully) to go for it or not. Agreement can be done quickly door-to-door. But when there's a bigger debate (bigger money spent), we all meet to vote in person at some coffee shop or lawyer's office. Since we moved in, we've done this twice already! This meeting vote is led by a chairperson.
So, our downstairs neighbor happens to be our chairperson. Also, how much a tenant's vote "counts" is proportional to that tenant's flat space. We happen to own the building's largest flat, so our vote swings some weight. The downside to owning more flat space is we pay our proportion of the item's cost. So, relationships are important for all of us. Clear, right?
Well, over a couple beer I and our neighbors discussed some upcoming renovations, especially our new main door. Maylia should be happy to hear that, of the 3 alternatives (spruce, pine or oak), our pick of the harder, but pricier oak won. And Maylia- regarding the water meters, I'm joining in with some folks on a contractor. To be only ~20 Euro for the meter and about twice that for installation.

The flat is eerily quiet without kids around. There's also eerily less laundry and eerily less milk in the fridge. But leaving a candybar on the table to have for breakfast the next morning feels perfectly safe.

Seems a bit odd to write on the blog when half the people who normally read it probably now aren't, while May and kids are there. Maybe not.

-Jeff